Borrowed Mana

Radmun grinned, his face were curious and excited, then he tapped her shoulder. "Let me see your beast."

Celina shyly shifted her eyes. "Well.."

Radmun chuckled. "You don't need to be shy."

Radmun then narrowed his eyes when he noticed something was wrong, he tapped her forehead lightly, then spread out his fingers. Glowing runes emerged on her skin all the way to her entire body. "Did Gamiz did this too?"

Celina sulken with a nod. Then the runes vanished momentarily.

Radmun scratched his head with a frustrated gasp. "I heard there will be negative effects if someone's magic were sealed. And this is a problem, because only the original sealers can unseal you, even other veterans won't be able to decode someone's unique runes."

"That's why I need to find him and remove it." She said.

"I heard there are two ways to remove a seal, one is the obvious, to unseal it, the other is more risky but more feasible. I don't recommend it though." Radmun said.

"You mean purging the seal?" Celina said.

Radmun nodded. "That's right, but we still have time. I'll bring you to where my attendants are."

The boy got flabbergasted. "So you're the famous Shot Fury?"

Radmun smiled confidently as he pointed himself with his thumb. "Yup, that's me." He then gazed curiously at the boy. "Anyway who are you?"

"My name is Pol, nice to meet you." The boy said.

An approaching footsteps took their attention, they traced the sound, Celina noticed it was just Blue and there was a brown book on his arm. "Woman, are you done? We need to go." Blue said urgently.

Radmun rose his eyebrow on the new character, he pointed his finger to Blue. "Hey, what's your connection with her?" He said stiffly.

Blue casted his stare to Radmun, he noticed Radmun had a well built posture and was brimming with confidence it gave him a sign he was strong, he smirked. "This woman? Yeah, he's my hostage." Blue said confidently.

After sensing a wild threat on the air, instinctively, Radmun dragged Celina behind him, he gripped his bow tight as he glared at Blue. "Miss stand back, I'll deal with this jester."

Blue snickered loudly, until he let out a villainous laugh. "She's not the only one who is held hostage, that includes you fools and every humans out there." He smirked.

The boy got taken aback, he then scampered behind Radmun. "I didn't know he was this evil." The boy trembled.

Celina sighed, her face was lax as though it didn't bother her, she casually left Radmun and approached Blue. "Blue, enough scaring them, you'll get the wrong impression."

Radmun's face was distorted from confusion, he eyed Celina then turned his eye to Blue again. "What in the world is the relationship between you two? Celina who is he?" Radmun said quizzically.

Celina chuckled as she tried to come up with an answer. "Well, it's complicated."

Blue stepped forward and drew himself close to Radmun, he glared upon Radmun's face. "I imagine you to be very strong, how about it I'll le--"

Celina pulled him back cutting off his sentence before he could finish. "Blue, Radmun is a fire mage and you should know by now that fire magic won't have an effect on you. She said.

Blue gave her a long suffering stare, then he turned around and went away, he clenched his grip tight as he left the area. Everyone observed Blue walking away.

Radmun sighed. "Who the hell is that weirdo?"

"I summoned him accidentally when I used my Light Call, now I'm paying for my mistakes." She said.

***

Blue mumbled in rage under his breath, he spread out his wings and left the ground. "Who decides what magic harms me and what doesn't?"

He scanned the entire town from the sky with his sharp sight, zooming in across the buildings. He was seeking for other places where he could gather some intel, perhaps a library or another store would be good. Asking the mages directly wasn't his style, especially since he's naturally taunted by the strong ones.

When Blue turned his sight on a specific building close to the east, a figure stood atop of its roof. He tightened his vision close to it and he noticed it was a demon and they were both exchanging stares. He wore a tattered scarf that covered his mouth, his scarf wavered on the air, he had two faded purple horns on its head which tilt to the sides. It looked tough and burly as its body was clad with a greyish armor made from glossy dragon scales.

It urged Blue somewhat to pick a fight with the demon, however he continued gliding and acquire some information first.

The woman's words etched some scars on his chest, it caused him to sneer. He grunted in irritation, "woman you better make sure your magic works!" He spat.

***

As the demon stood atop the roof, his gaze were locked upon the flying creature on the skies. "It seems there are some nuisance in this place." He had a rough, manly voice.

A tall, lean demon appeared in a flash behind him, its back was bent as though he was crouching, but it was his natural posture. He held two sharp daggers with each arm, his eyes were covered with a black blind fold and he had a tall dark violet hair. It had a wide mouth that pushes its cheek outwards, revealing a sharp, numerous sets of teeth that resembled that of a fish.

"You want me to investigate?" Said the tall demon.

"Quickly dispose of it as soon as you can." The burly demon said.

In a flash, the tall demon turned into a streaks of lines and simply vanished.

***

Radmun, Celina and the boy were infront of a certain building, Radmun darted his eyes on his surroundings, after noticing it was clear he knocked upon the door heavily twice, then knocked again three times softly with a slow rythm. The door slid open and Celina's eyes lit up.

"General Reston, It's nice to see you again." She said with mirth.

An old man with an iron armor, bowed gently, he squinted his eyes as though looking for someone. "So where is my foolish friend?" Silently referring to Herdis.

Radmun stared intently at Reston, he then shook his head. After picking up the hint Reston sighed. "Really? That's too bad."

Inside the room, Celina recognized the familiar faces of the three who sat around a table sized paper. They seemed to be serious as they conversed with each other, with their eyes in deep thought and their hand gestures tense.

"Turner, Shiela and Don." Celina said shifting her eyes unto each characters.

They were her classmates back then when they were still learning magic, but they weren't that close, while she knew Turner when she hanged out with Herdis. Turner was an orange haired young burly man, with a glossy heavy armor on his body, Shiela had pink hair with pony tail draping on her back, she had a crimson robe, she seemed to be a light hearted lady. Don was the youngest he seemed to be the serious type of guy, he wore a dark blue robe, he had a jet black hair and his eyes were sharp.

Turner and Shiela stared at her with mirth. "I can't believe you're here." Turner said.

Celina smiled. "Well many things have happened."

Shiela jogged and held her arm. "Is there something wrong with you Cel? I can't detect your mana." She said worriedly.

Celina chuckled as though to cover her dismay. "Well...."

Turner clapped his arm, everyone's attention was taken. "We don't have time to get lovey dovey, if the Elite demons brings Rean on this town everything we worked for is finished." He said with a serious voice.

Turner chuckled. "Come on, Don, don't you have anything to say to Celina. You've been friends since you were in the academy."

"Acquintances." Don clarified.

Radmun crouched and sat close to him. "Well you have a point there, can you explain to miss Celina our situation."

Don nodded, he sifted his eyes to his audience. "Basically the demons on the east are attempting to breach the barrier of the town hall." He pointed his finger on the map, right near the borders of the town. "And near the town hall, they are being guarded by 4 Elite Demons, and 116 bottom ranked demons. The plan is that we should lure the 4 Elite Demons into the front, then we'll have the mages inside to leave the hall on the rear." Don sighed and paused for a bit. "Remember, we don't plan to engage and attack them directly we just need to lure the stronger ones."

Celina interrupted. "Anyway who is this Rean?" She said.

Don turned his eyes just to her. "She's a mage who is capable of portal magic, right now a middle class demon is pursuing her. And once she gets captured, we are done for, she'll use her to enter the barrier around the town hall." He said.

Celina got startled for a bit, since the middle class are obviously stronger than the lower-middle class or the elites. It would be trouble for everyone on this room if they were to fight such a demon.

Radmun grunted with a smile. "Don't worry if that does happen, I'll handle the middle class demon myself."

Don sighed. "I'm not doubting your strength, but there's no need to expend our energy on something that is unnecessary. And." Don sprang up from the floor, he approached Celina with his serious stare. "I assume you'll be a good addition to our forces."

Celina scratched her head and her eyes astrayed. "Actually.."

Celina told her everything the moment they were being pursued by the demons, but she left the story about Blue, everyone on the room got hushed. Don sighed. "So, you're saying you're useless now?" He said without reluctance.

"Hey Don, don't be too rude to her." Shiela butted in.

Celina turned to Shiela. "It's okay Shiela, you don't have to defend me, Don is right." She said as she forced her face to remain casual. She took a deep breath, "but, I'm gonna fight too, I will need a weapon."

Radmun worriedly stepped infront of the her. "Are you sure about this miss?"

Celina nodded. "If you would be so kind, I'd like to borrow a mana."

Mana transfer was possible between two mages, however it requires a great control from both parties, specifically they have to level their wavelengths perfectly.

Radmun had a worried look. "Are you sure about that? If this goes wrong this will harm you."

Celina went infront of him. "Just do it."

Radmun gasped as he gave in to her. "Okay then."

Celina and Radmun's hands gripped tight. They suspended both of their arms on the air, now Radmun glared at her. "Prepare yourself."

Celina nodded with a serious eyes.

Radmun's body got coated with red billowing smoke, it slowly seeped into Celina's arms.

Searing pain surged into Celina's body, it felt like her flesh were on fire, she clasped her fist tight as she fought against the pain.

Celina gritted her teeth, her eyes widened, she slouched a bit as though she was suffering. She bit her lip but she was mumbling a groan inside her mouth

Shiela went close with her concerned face. "Radmun, I think we should stop!"

Celina forced a smile as her worn out eyes looked at Shiela. She shook her head. "I'm fine."

Everyone else in the room were urged to step in, but Don gave them a glare as he shook his head. They ended up sneering as they observed her suffering.

Radmun gave a worried sigh. "Miss, you need to control your wavelength."

Beads of sweat appeared on her face, she took a deep breath as the chaotic, dancing red smoke enshrouded her body. It stung her body on all sides, it had her breathless, she closed her eyes then focused intently. "I have to do this." She said to herself.

In a sudden the red smoke became calm, it was no longer in turmoil around her skin, it floated around her sluggishly. The pain slowly subsided and Celina fell on her knees, breathing hard.

Momentarily Don stepped in front of them. "Now then, let's go and save the town hall."